Image source, Getty Images
British number one Katie Boulter battled her way into the second round at Wimbledon with a hard-fought victory over Tatjana Maria.
The 27-year-old is seeded at SW19 for the first time after a positive season that saw her win titles in San Diego and Nottingham.
Boulter was handed a tricky draw against the 36-year-old Maria, who reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon in 2022.
But she overcame a nervy start to beat the German 7-6 (8-6) 7-5 in front of a packed court three.
- Author, Alan Jewell
- Role, BBC Sport at Wimbledon
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“I know she made [the] semi-finals here a couple of years ago and I can completely see why,” said Boulter.
“A great competition, she made me work for absolutely everything. I’m looking forward to the ice bath – I’m not sure I’ve said that before.”
Boulter’s victory set up an all-British second-round tie with Harriet Dart, who overwhelmed China’s Zhuoxuan Bai 6-4 6-0 earlier on Tuesday.
Dart dominates Bai to reach second round
Boulter said she is is expecting “an absolute battle” against compatriot Dart.
World number 94 Dart did not lose serve against Bai, breaking the 21-year-old in the 10th game to take the first set, and only a rain interruption delayed her progress.
“Playing a Brit on the UK, on the grass, is never an easy draw,” added Boulter.
Dart was one of 11 Britons in action on Tuesday after Andy Murray announced he would not play singles following his back operation.
British number 13 Jacob Fearnley battled to victory over Alejandro Moro Canas to set up a second-round encounter with seven-time champion Novak Djokovic.
The 22-year-old from Scotland, ranked 277 in the world, defeated the Spaniard 7-5 6-4 7-6 (14-12).
Paul Jubb missed out on a first Wimbledon success in agonising fashion, falling in five sets to big-hitting Brazilian Thiago Seyboth Wild.
Jubb led by two sets to love and had a match point in the third-set tie-break, but he could not take it and Seyboth Wild fought back to win 1-6 3-6 7-6 (8-6) 6-4 7-5.
Jan Choinski also went down in five sets, losing 7-5 4-6 2-6 7-5 6-2 to Italian Luciano Darderi.
British wildcard Billy Harris’ Grand Slam debut ended in defeat against Spain’s Jaume Munar, losing 6-4 6-4 3-6 6-3.
Jack Draper – the nation’s leading men’s player – faces Sweden’s Elias Ymer last on Centre Court.
Cameron Norrie, who reached the semi-finals in 2022, is also in action, as too are Dan Evans, Henry Searle and Fran Jones.